Feasibility of PuPu Pump application for sludge emptying and transport (Kenya)

The third part of the sanitation value chain involves conveying sludge from the containment sytem to the treatment plant for treatment or disposal. Despite this, it is typically neglected due to a lack of faecal sludge (FS)-properties-based technologies. Safety, inaccessibility, and low-cost (preferably mechanical) pit- emptying methods contribute to this technology gap. The Practica Foundation created the PuPu Pump to solve this gap. This study evaluated the PuPu Pump’s technical capacity for FS emptying and transportation in Nakuru, Kenya, and the financial feasibility. Several types of on-site sanitation systems in the Kenyan city of Nakuru were analysed for their FS characteristics (viscosity, total solids, volatile solids, density and particle size). The financial sustainability was evaluated for internal rate of return and net present value at a 7.5% discount rate. With a 2 cum tricycle and an average of four trips per day at €25 (3,000KSh) for 260 working days, a company can reach economic feasibility and payback initial investments within two to three years. On the other hand, if there were only 260 working days per year for 11 cum tractors, they would not be able to turn a profit or recoup their initial investments even if they made two trips, each costing €42 (5,000KSh).